When I ran cross country in high school, I always hated running down hills! I felt out of control, with no good rhythm, I was just banging my feet down the hill. I usually felt tired after! I used to look for the hill to climb because I felt more in control. Setting my own pace and keeping a good cadence.
Of course, once you recognize that gravity is your friend, running downhill is a lot less work! But it takes time realize that. You trust your training to get you down safely.
Jesus told us that life was going to be hard. He didn’t pull punches, in fact, He said this several times over. You will be persecuted because of Him. You may be beaten because of Him. But look at Paul, his perspective was one of submitting to Jesus, he let God lead him down the hill! He was in control, not Paul!
Of course, there are eternal benefits to this ride!! We are promised a room in His house. To be in His very presence, what a reward!!!
You can continue to run up hill being in “control” and exhausting yourself ultimately, or you can let go and head down the hill, with Him in complete control!!!
Are you all in?!!!